Cylinder phaser valves

ABSTRACT

A phaser valve for a piston and cylinder assembly helps to keep a pair of pistons in phase with each other. The phaser valve includes a poppet which is slidable between opposing seats of a valve housing. The poppet includes a head and a stem, both the head and the stem having concave portions which facilitate the flow of hydraulic fluid across the valve. The poppet head has two generally conical ends, so that the head makes a fluid-tight seal with a seat when the head is urged towards either seat. Due to its construction, the phaser valve may be built to fit within a very small space, while still allowing a substantial flow of fluid when the head is not in abutment with one of the seats.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This Application is a 35 USC 371 national stage filing of internationalapplication No. PCT/US2010/24858, filed Feb. 22, 2010, which claimspriority to U.S. provisional application 61/154,523, filed on Feb. 23,2009 in the USPTO. All of these applications are incorporated byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hydraulic cylinders which are used tooperate heavy equipment, such as lifts, cranes, and the like.

In particular, the invention comprises a novel valve having a geometrydesigned to synchronize the position of two or more hydraulic cylindersoperating together at the end of either or both of their directions ofstroke.

More particularly, the invention provides an improved valve structurewhich enables the above-described valve to accomplish its objective, andwherein the valve occupies a very small space.

If two cylinders are operating in parallel, differences in leakageacross piston seals, differences in cylinder or rod diameters, or otherreasons, can cause differences in cylinder position to accrue over time.The rods and ends of these parallel cylinders are often fixed to thesame structures. Should the cylinders become “out of phase” with respectto one another (with one cylinder fully extending or fully retractingbefore the other), undesirable deformation stresses such as twisting canresult if the cylinders are driving the same structure.

An example of the use of parallel hydraulic cylinders, in which thecylinders are attached to the same structure, is a device in which thecylinders are attached to the main boom of a crane.

An example of two cylinders working in parallel, but attached todifferent structures, is outrigger cylinders. Hydraulic outriggers areoften provided on mobile lifts, cranes, and construction equipment tostabilize the vehicle on which the lift, crane, or construction tool(shovel or bucket) is mounted.

Outriggers generally serve two purposes. The first is to eliminate thevehicle suspension, and possibly pneumatic tires, in the support of thecrane. Outriggers will generally lift the vehicle tires off of theground such that the vehicle has a rigid support. It is undesirable fora crane platform or the like to move or bounce.

The second purpose is to widen the vehicle's contact with the ground sothat it becomes more difficult to extend the center of gravity of thevehicle over the most lateral contact point with the ground. Suchextension of the center of gravity will result in tipping of thevehicle. Using a crane as an example, the wider the contact with theground, the larger the “load envelope” within which the fully loadedcrane can safely operate.

Should outrigger cylinders become out of phase due to accrual ofdifferences in piston leakage, one outrigger will strike the groundbefore the other, and the result will be tilting of the vehicle, acondition that the outriggers are provided to prevent.

The present invention provides a solution for the problems describedabove, by providing an improved phaser valve which assists insynchronizing two or more cylinders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cylinder phaser valves of this invention are to be installed in thepistons of cylinders that are working together.

Normally, the blind end and the rod end of a cylinder are prevented fromfluid communication by seals around the periphery of the piston.Pressurized fluid introduced into either the blind end or the rod end ofthe cylinder will then cause translational movement of the piston withinthe cylinder bore. The cylinder may then perform useful work.

Differential pressure across the piston is responsible for movement ofthe rod of the cylinder. Any communication between the blind and rodends will tend to lessen or eliminate this pressure differential.

The valve of the present invention is configured in such a manner thatas the piston of the cylinder approaches one end of its travel, thevalve is opened to allow communication between the blind end and the rodend. Therefore, while the valve is opened, translational motion of thepiston within the cylinder bore is stopped or slowed, as oil isdischarged from the pressurized end of the cylinder, across the piston,and out of the depressurized end of the cylinder.

Thus, when one cylinder reaches the end of its stroke, the cylinderphaser valve in its piston is opened, and another cylinder or cylindersoperating in parallel is (are) allowed to synchronize its (their)position(s), or “catch up” with the first cylinder.

The cylinder phaser valve of the present invention is thereforeeffective only during a limited portion of the operating cycle of thepiston and cylinder assembly. That is, the phaser valve of the presentinvention does not allow communication of the rod end of the cylinderwith the blind end under most circumstances, but allows suchcommunication only when a piston is approaching one end of its path oftravel.

The valve of the present invention includes a poppet head and stem whichslide axially within a cartridge. Both the poppet head and stem haveconcave surfaces which allow fluid to flow around them (when the poppethead is not forming a seal against the seat defined by the cartridgebody or the seat defined by a stem guide). This structure enables thevalve to be constructed in a small size, while still allowing sufficientfluid to flow through when desired.

The phaser valve also functions as a cushion valve, slowing the speed oftravel of the piston rod at the end of its stroke, and therebyminimizing the impact of the piston on the end of the cylinder bore. Thelatter results in less vibration and noise, and is likely to increasethe lifespan of the cylinder assembly.

The present invention therefore has the primary object of providing avalve which enables the synchronization of two or more cylinderassemblies.

The invention has the further object of minimizing the size of the valvedescribed above, while still permitting a desired flow of fluid when thevalve is opened.

The invention has the further object of reducing the size of a phaservalve used in synchronizing two or more cylinders.

The invention has the further object of reducing vibration and noise ina cylinder assembly.

The invention has the further object of prolonging the useful life of acylinder assembly.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art, from a reading of the following briefdescription of the drawings, the detailed description of the invention,and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a-1 c provide a cross-sectional view (FIG. 1 b) and two endviews (FIGS. 1 a and 1 c) of a cartridge body and valve stem guide,together with a poppet head and stem, as used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional view of the poppet head and stem inthe cartridge body and valve stem guide of the present invention, thepoppet head being positioned so that it is in sealing contact with thevalve stem guide.

FIG. 3 provides another cross-sectional view of the poppet head and stemin the cartridge body and valve stem guide of the present invention,wherein the poppet head is positioned so that it is in sealing contactwith the opposite seat, relative to FIG. 2, of the cartridge body.

FIG. 4 provides a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3, inwhich the poppet head is positioned between the sealing surfaces of thevalve stem guide and the cartridge body.

FIGS. 5 a-5 c provide an elevational view (FIG. 5 b) and two end views(FIGS. 5 a and 5 c), taken from mutually opposite directions, of thepoppet head and stem structure used in the present invention.

FIGS. 5 d and 5 e provide perspective views, taken from differentdirections, of the poppet head and stem of the present invention.

FIGS. 6 a-6 c provide an elevational view (FIG. 6 b) and two end views(FIGS. 6 a and 6 c), taken from mutually opposite directions, of apoppet head and double stem structure used in the present invention.

FIG. 7 a provides a cross-sectional view of the valve stem guide used inthe present invention.

FIG. 7 b provides an end view of the valve stem guide of FIG. 7 a.

FIG. 8 a provides a side elevational view of the cartridge body of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 b provides an end view of the cartridge body of FIG. 8 a.

FIG. 9 provides a simple hydraulic schematic diagram of a hydrauliccylinder circuit, as used in the present invention.

FIG. 10 a provides a cross-sectional view of a hydraulic cylinderassembly, showing the present invention incorporated within the pistonof such assembly.

FIG. 10 b provides an expanded cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG.10 a, showing the present invention as incorporated into the piston ofthe cylinder assembly, the device of the present invention beingoriented so that it is actuated when the piston rod approaches fullextension.

FIG. 11 a provides a cross-sectional view of a hydraulic cylinderassembly with the present invention incorporated into the piston.

FIG. 11 b provides an expanded cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG.11 a, in which the device of the present invention is oriented so thatit is actuated when the piston rod approaches full retraction.

FIG. 12 a provides a cross-sectional view of a hydraulic cylinderassembly having two valves, made according to the present invention,incorporated within the piston of the cylinder assembly.

FIG. 12 b provides an expanded cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG.12 a, showing the valves of the present invention within the piston ofthe cylinder assembly, each valve being oriented in opposite directionssuch that one will be actuated when the piston rod approaches fullextension, while the other is actuated when the piston rod approachesfull retraction.

FIG. 13 a provides a cross-sectional view of a hydraulic cylinderassembly with a device of the present invention incorporated within thepiston of the cylinder assembly, the poppet head being shown at aposition between the sealing surfaces of the valve stem guide andcartridge, respectively.

FIG. 13 b provides an expanded cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG.13 a, in which the device of the present invention is oriented so thatit is actuated when the piston rod approaches full extension.

FIG. 14 a provides a cross-sectional view of a hydraulic cylinderassembly with the device of the present invention incorporated withinthe piston of the cylinder assembly, the poppet head being shown urgedto a position in sealing contact with the valve stem guide.

FIG. 14 b provides an expanded cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG.14 a, the device of the present invention being oriented so that it isactuated when the piston rod approaches full extension.

FIG. 15 a provides a cross-sectional view of a hydraulic cylinderassembly having the device of the present invention incorporated withinthe piston of the cylinder assembly.

FIG. 15 b provides an expanded cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG.15 a, showing the device of the present invention in the piston of thecylinder assembly, the stem of the poppet being in contact with the endof the cylinder as the rod approaches maximum extension, and the poppetbeing therefore no longer in sealing contact with the valve stem guide,despite pressure being applied to the blind end.

FIG. 16 a provides a cross-sectional view of a hydraulic cylinderassembly having the device of the present invention incorporated withinthe piston of the cylinder assembly, the poppet head being urged to aposition in sealing contact with the cartridge.

FIG. 16 b provides an expanded cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG.16 a, with the device of the present invention in the piston of thecylinder assembly.

FIG. 17 a provides a cross-sectional view of a hydraulic cylinderassembly having the device of the present invention incorporated withinthe piston of the cylinder assembly, wherein the poppet head is urged toa position in sealing contact with the cartridge.

FIG. 17 b provides an expanded cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG.17 a, with the device of the present invention in the piston of thecylinder.

FIG. 18 provides a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a cylinderassembly having the device of the present invention installed, andshowing a single-stemmed poppet head and a portion of a poppet retainingmember typical of a valve-in-piston design.

FIG. 19 provides a cross-sectional view of a cartridge and valve stemguide, and showing a double-stemmed poppet within the cartridge,according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 provides a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a piston within acylinder assembly, and showing a double-stemmed poppet and a poppetretaining member, according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 a provides a cross-sectional view of a cylinder assembly, inwhich there is shown a double-stemmed poppet within a valve assembly,according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 b provides an expanded cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG.21 a, showing more clearly a portion of the cross-section of the piston,and the double-stemmed poppet within a cross-section of a valveassembly.

FIG. 22 provides a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of the presentinvention, showing a variant of the double-stemmed poppet, the poppetbeing positioned so that it is in sealing contact with the valve stemguide.

FIG. 23 provides a cross-sectional view of the valve assembly of thepresent invention, showing a variant of the double-stemmed poppet withinthe valve assembly, the poppet being positioned so that it is in sealingcontact with the cartridge.

FIG. 24 provides a cross-sectional view of the valve assembly of thepresent invention, showing a variant of the double-stemmed poppet, thepoppet being positioned between the sealing surfaces of the valve stemguide and the cartridge.

FIG. 25 provides an end view of the poppet within a fragmentarycross-section of a cartridge (or, in a valve-in-body embodiment, aportion of a cross-section of a cavity of a cylinder piston), accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 26 provides an end view of a valve stem within a fragmentarycross-section of a cartridge and a valve stem guide (or, in avalve-in-body embodiment, a portion of a cross-section of a cavity of acylinder piston), according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 provides cross-sectional views of two cylinder assembliesoperating together, with their rods fixed to the same structure, plusexpanded cross-sectional views of portions of each piston showing avalve of the invention in each, the upper cylinder in the figure havingalmost reached the end of its stroke such that the stem of its phaservalve has just come in contact with the end of the cylinder.

FIG. 28 provides cross-sectional views of two cylinder assembliesoperating together, with their rods fixed to the same structure, plusexpanded cross-sectional views of portions of each piston showing avalve of the invention in each, the upper cylinder in the figure havingalmost reached the end of its stroke such that the stem of its phaservalve has come in contact with the end of the cylinder and its poppethas moved away from sealing contact with the stem guide.

FIG. 29 provides cross-sectional views of two cylinder assembliesoperating together, with their rods fixed to the same structure, plusexpanded cross-sectional views of portions of each piston showing avalve of the invention in each, the upper cylinder in the figure havingreached the end of its stroke, and the lower cylinder having almostreached the end of its stroke such that the stem of its phaser valve hascome in contact with the end of the cylinder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The phaser valve of the present invention comprises an assembly havingthree main parts (exclusive of seals):

1. Poppet/stem

2. Valve Stem Guide

3. Cartridge Body Housing

The poppet includes a poppet head 100 and a stem portion 3 (see, forexample, FIG. 1 b).

As shown in FIGS. 5 a-5 c, the poppet head 100 comprises two conicalsurfaces 1 and 2, oriented 180 degrees apart. One surface 2 sealsagainst a seat (indicated by reference numeral 13 of FIG. 8 a) in thecartridge body. The opposite surface 1 seals against a similar sealingsurface (indicated by reference numeral 6 a of FIG. 7 a) in the valvestem guide 4.

The stem 3 of the poppet (FIG. 5 b) extends axially from one conicalsurface. The stem must be sufficiently long such that it extends outsidethe valve housing, or cartridge, during at least a portion of the travelof the poppet.

FIGS. 5 d and 5 e provide perspective views of the poppet head and stemof the present invention. As is best shown in FIG. 5 e, the poppet headhas a forward or distal portion 220 which is generally conical. Thepoppet head also has a rearward or proximal portion 223 which is alsogenerally conical. The poppet head includes a plurality of lands 224which are separated by concave regions 221, the lands and concaveregions being located between the forward or distal portion 220 and therearward or proximal portion 223. The concave regions 221 are generallyaligned with elongated concave surfaces 222 of the poppet stem. Theconcave surfaces 222 extend along substantially the entire length of thestem. The alignment of the concave surfaces 222 with the concave regions221 facilitates the flow of fluid around the poppet, because such fluidis not required to make any more turns than necessary, thus minimizingthe pressure drop. The stem also includes lands 225. The lands of thestem abut, or nearly abut, the interior surface of the valve stem guide(not shown in FIGS. 5 d-e).

The poppet head, in cross-section, is thus generally circular, except tothe extent that the circle is “gouged” by the concave regions, as isillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5 c-e.

The number of concave regions and surfaces, on the poppet head and thepoppet stem, respectively, can be varied, but the preferred number isthree such regions and three such surfaces. Thus, in the preferredembodiment, the stem has a generally triangular cross-section.

FIG. 5 e shows that the forward portion of the poppet head will make asuitable fluid seal when it abuts a circular opening comprising thevalve seat. As long as the head engages the seat at a position which isforward relative to the concave region, the conical head will fullyengage the opening, and no leakage of fluid will occur. Similarly, FIG.5 d shows that the rearward portion of the poppet head will make a sealwhen it abuts the opposing valve seat.

As shown in FIGS. 7 a-b, the valve stem guide 4 has a central bore 5through which the stem extends. The stem is thus guided within agenerally cylindrical channel defined by the stem guide. The valve stemguide has an outer diameter such that it may be assembled within thecartridge body. A seal 7 is placed peripherally about the valve stemguide to prevent leakage of fluid between the valve stem guide and thecartridge.

As shown in FIGS. 8 a-b, the cartridge body 8 has a stepped central boreof several diameters to accommodate the poppet/stem and the valve stemguide. The valve stem guide is placed within the largest diameter 9 atthe end of the cartridge, and abuts against a shoulder 10. A smallerdiameter 11 in the central region of the cartridge is designed tocontain the poppet. A smaller through bore 12 has a seat 13 immediatelyadjacent to the central diameter, of a geometry necessary to interfacewith the poppet (in this case, conical). The cartridge has an outer seal14 to prevent flow around the cartridge and the bore in the cylinderpiston within which it resides. Therefore, the only flow path is throughthe central bore.

The cartridge body has an external thread 15 that is meant to engage inan internal thread in its corresponding cavity. An internal wrenchingsurface 16 is provided within the first part of the central bore of thevalve. It is recognized that a wide variety of options of wrenchingmeans may be incorporated on the cartridge other than the internal hexshown.

The conical seat 13 of the cartridge body 8 is spaced a distance fromthe seat of the valve stem guide. This distance is greater than thedistance between the opposing sealing surfaces of the poppet. Thus, thepoppet may occupy a position at either seat, or somewhere in between.FIG. 2 shows the poppet head 100 at an upper seat 101 of cartridge body8, while FIG. 3 shows the poppet head 100 at a lower seat 102 of thecartridge body. FIG. 1 b and FIG. 4 show the poppet head 100 at anintermediate position. FIGS. 1 a and 1 c is show opposite end views ofthe structure of FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 9 shows a simple hydraulic circuit for controlling the motion of apiston within a cylinder. Through the use of a directional control valve17, the blind end 18 of the cylinder may be pressurized, while the rodend 19 is vented to a hydraulic reservoir 20 at low pressure. This willcause the piston of the cylinder assembly to extend. Conversely, the rodend may be pressurized, while the blind end is vented to a reservoir.This will cause the piston of the cylinder assembly to retract. Thehydraulic circuit of FIG. 9 comprises a means for directing fluidalternately into opposite sides of the piston. The phaser valve of thepresent invention is essentially a control means which diverts a portionof the hydraulic fluid such that the movement of the piston is slowed,so as to bring the pistons into phase.

FIGS. 10 a-b show the invention as assembled in the piston of ahydraulic cylinder assembly. It is understood that the orientation ofthe valve within the piston can be in the other direction to cause thepistons to get back into phase at the opposite extent of travel (asshown in FIGS. 11 a-b). It is also understood that two valves, orientedin opposite directions, may be utilized to provide synchronization atthe termination of each direction of travel (as shown in FIGS. 12 a-b).

In FIGS. 13 a-b, neither the blind end nor the rod end of a hydrauliccylinder is pressurized. As there is no differential pressure across thepiston, it will remain stationary. The poppet will not tend to be urgedto either seat in the absence of any other force, such as the force ofgravity.

In FIGS. 14 a-b, the blind end 21 of a hydraulic cylinder ispressurized. The differential pressure acting on the blind end and rodend piston surfaces will cause the piston to move toward the rod end 22.

This pressure differential will also urge the poppet away from theconical seat on the cartridge body 23 (closest to the blind end) andtoward the seat of the valve stem guide 24. The interaction of thetapered seat and the conical surface of the poppet will form a circularmetal to metal seal. Therefore, no communication will exist between theblind end and the rod end of the cylinder.

As shown in FIGS. 15 a-b, when the piston approaches the end of travelat the rod end (full extension), the stem 25 will make contact with theend of the cylinder cavity 26. Any further travel will move the poppetoff of its seat 27 on the stem guide, and will allow fluid communicationthrough the piston, from the blind end to the rod end. FIG. 15 b showsthe condition in which the poppet head has just moved off of its seat.

Travel of the piston will then slow or stall.

This will allow a parallel cylinder to continue to extend, at least at afaster rate, and synchronize its position with the first cylinder.

Conversely, should the directional control valve be shifted in theopposite direction, FIGS. 16 a-b demonstrate movement of the poppettoward the seat on the cartridge.

FIGS. 17 a-b illustrate the condition wherein pressurized hydraulicfluid is directed to the rod end 28 of the cylinder. Fluid in the blindend 29 of the cylinder will now be directed by the directional controlvalve to the hydraulic reservoir at low pressure. The piston will bemoved towards the blind end.

The poppet of the phaser valve will be urged from the region of highpressure at the conical seat of the valve stem guide 30 (adjacent to therod end) towards the region of lower pressure at the conical seat of thecartridge body 31. The interface of the poppet head and the seat willagain form a seal against the flow of hydraulic fluid, and preventcommunication between the rod end and the blind end of the cylinder.

As noted above, the poppet head has two conical surfaces opposed to eachother. The included angle of the poppet as shown is 90 degrees. However,this angle can be varied to optimize for flow conditions. A shallowerangle will better allow for laminar flow at higher flow rates, otherthings being equal. A shallower angle has a better tendency for thepoppet head and seat to self-align. However, a steeper angle has betteropening characteristics, with better gain of flow area for unit travelof the poppet.

Although the invention is described as a cartridge, it is recognizedthat the same function can be accomplished with a “valve in body”approach, shown in FIG. 18. In such an approach, the working parts ofthe valve would be placed directly within a specially machinedcomplementary cavity in the cylinder piston. In some circumstances, the“valve in body” approach may be preferred. The cartridge body housingwould not be required, and would be replaced by a retaining member 32.This retaining member is not necessarily threaded, but may utilize aflange, snap-ring, or other means to retain the valve parts within thecavity. In this example, one valve seat 33 is machined directly in acavity within the piston bore, while the other is machined on theretaining member 34.

The invention may be used in a broad range of cylinder sizes. However,the design features make it particularly suited for small cylinders,particularly if a “valve in body” approach is taken. These featuresallow it to be placed within a smaller envelope than common hydrauliccartridge valves.

It is understood that the poppet can be made in other geometries, suchas spherical. By using the “valve in body” approach, the dimensions ofthe components can be customized for that particular piston. It is alsounderstood that the poppet can be fashioned with a stem on each surface,as shown in FIGS. 6 a-c, and the valve configured accordingly, such thatthere will be phasing at the piston limit in each direction. A poppet sofashioned may be used either with the cartridge design (as shown inFIGS. 19 and 21 a-b) or with the valve in body design (as shown in FIG.20). It is understood that a poppet/stem assembly of this configurationmust be customized to traverse the thickness of the particular piston inwhich it is used.

The double-stem poppet can be used to provide more axial stability ofthe poppet, and can be utilized for bidirectional phasing. FIGS. 22-24show the poppet and stem assembly in a range of positions, from oneextreme in sealing contact with the valve stem guide (shown in FIG. 22),to the other extreme in sealing contact with the cartridge (shown inFIG. 23), and in an intermediate position (shown in FIG. 24). In FIG. 23it is apparent that the second stem never protrudes from the cartridgebody, and therefore cannot be used to manually shift the poppet off ofthe seat. It is used here to provide additional guidance to the poppetfor better alignment of the poppet and the seat.

Good alignment is desirable for a poppet with a conical sealing surface,as angular offset of the poppet and seat may result in incompletecontact between the two and leakage. This can be problematic should theend of the cylinder piston strike the poppet in a non-axial manner, dueto tolerances in perpendicularity of the cartridge cavity, or tolerancesin flatness and/or perpendicularity of the cylinder end. The doublestem, by virtue of an increased length of bearing contact, is bettersuited for wider tolerances in this regard. The use of the double stemalso allows for less strict tolerances in the central bore of the stemguide. Thus, the increase in cost of such a poppet may be more thanoffset by a decrease in manufacturing cost in these other areas. It isrecognized that a spherical poppet does not have this angular alignmentissue, however this geometry can be more difficult to machine andinspect.

In FIG. 25, the poppet head is shown with three fluid flow channels 35around its periphery to improve flow, and lessen pressure drop, althougha smaller or larger number of fluid channels can be employed. Thisallows for a smaller overall diameter of the cartridge than if the flowarea was provided only by clearance around the poppet's outsidediameter. These channels must fall short of the sealing diameter of thepoppet and seat interface so as to avoid leaking of the valve in theclosed positions. The three raised portions 36 that remain are guidelands that interface with the bore 37 in the cartridge (or piston borein a valve-in-body design) to guide the poppet axially between opposingseats. Similar flow channels can be fashioned in a poppet of a sphericalconfiguration, with resulting guide lands.

The poppet is coaxial with the valve stem. The valve stem 38 shown inFIG. 26 is triangular in cross-section, and, when placed in the bore 39of the valve stem guide, results in three distinct flow areas 40. Theflats of the triangle may be radiused with a negative bias 41, as shown,to improve flow area and reduce pressure drop.

The dimensions of the triangle are ideally made larger than thecircumscribed circle of the valve guide bore so that the points of thetriangle are replaced with three distinct guide lands. The stem withinthe bore provides the primary means of axial guidance of the poppet inthe bore.

The flow channels in the poppet are the same in number, and are aligned,with the flow areas around the stem, so as not to induce any tendency torotate the poppet.

The cross-section of the stem is shown to be a triangle. It isrecognized that other cross-sections can be employed, such as arectangular section, square section, or other polygonal section. Thetriangle shown is believed to be the preferred cross-sectional geometryof the stem. It provides the largest ratio of flow channel area per unitof stem cross sectional area, when compared to other regular polygons.Also, should there be a lack of perpendicularity of the bore in thepiston with respect to the cylinder wall that the stem is designed tostrike, the triangular cross-section will accommodate this better than,say, a thin rectangular cross-section.

The poppet is ideally made of a hard material, such as hardened steel.The valve stem guide ideally should be made of a hard material as wellso as to resist any wear that may be induced by the stem, particularlyif the stem is struck in an non-axial manner. However, there should be ahardness mismatch between the poppet and stem guide, such that thepoppet may slightly deform the seat in operation so that the matingsurfaces conform to each other to limit leakage. A similar mismatch isdesirable between the poppet and the opposing sealing surface on thecartridge.

The operation of the present invention can be summarized as follows,with reference to FIGS. 27-29.

As stated previously, the invention is designed to allow two or morecylinders working together to resynchronize or re-phase their positionsat the end of their strokes. FIG. 27 shows two cylinders workingtogether that, due to the various reasons mentioned previously, havegotten “out of phase” with each other. In other words, the rod of theupper cylinder 201 is extended further than the rod of the lowercylinder 200. The relative positions are exaggerated for clarity. Inthis example, the stem 202 of the phaser of the upper cylinder has justcome into contact with the end of the cylinder. The stem 203 of thelower cylinder is still a distance away from its corresponding end.

In FIG. 28, assuming that the blind ends of both cylinders are beingpressurized, and the rod ends are being discharged to a hydraulicreservoir at low pressure, the piston of the upper cylinder 201 hasadvanced a small distance when compared to FIG. 27. The poppet of thephaser of the upper cylinder has been moved away from sealing contactwith its valve stem guide. This will allow the flow of hydraulic fluidfrom the high pressure region in the blind end, to the lower pressureregion in the rod end. This will tend to slow or stall movement of theupper piston. The lower piston will continue to move as before.

FIG. 29 shows the result of continued application of pressurizedhydraulic fluid to the blind ends of both cylinders. The upper cylinder201 has slowly advanced to full extension. During this time, the lowercylinder 200 has advanced at a faster rate such that the stem 203 of itsphaser is now in contact with the end of the cylinder wall. The relativepositions of the ends of each rod are much closer.

Note that the basic source of synchronization of the pistons in thecylinders is the fact that pressurized fluid is conveyed,simultaneously, into the blind ends, or the rod ends, of both cylinders.The phaser valves of the present invention serve to smooth the “roughedges” of each stroke. That is, both pistons are driven by the sameapplication of pressure, but the valves of the present invention preventone piston from “getting ahead” of the other, at or near the end of thestroke, by slowing that piston until the other piston has reachedapproximately the same position.

Also, the structure of the valves implies that the first valve to reachthe cylinder wall is the one which is slowed. Thus, either piston couldbe slowed, since both pistons are equipped with the same phaser valve ofthe present invention. The invention thus automatically slows the firstpiston to reach the cylinder wall.

The invention can be modified in various ways. The exact geometry of thepoppet head and poppet stem can be varied, as can the number of concaveregions and surfaces. These and other modifications, which will beapparent to those skilled in the art, should be considered within thespirit and scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A phaser valve for controlling motion of a pistonand cylinder assembly, comprising: a housing, a poppet having a poppethead and a stem, the poppet head being held within the housing by a pairof seats, and a stem guide held by said housing, the stem guide defininga channel for movement of the stem therethrough, wherein the poppet headhas a forward portion which is generally conical, and a rearward portionwhich is generally conical, the forward and rearward portions beingdisposed on either side of a plurality of lands, the lands beingseparated by a plurality of concave regions, wherein the stem includes aplurality of elongated concave surfaces extending along a length of thestem.
 2. The phaser valve of claim 1, wherein the elongated concavesurfaces formed on the stem are generally aligned with the concaveregions formed on the poppet head.
 3. The phaser valve of claim 2,wherein there are three concave regions formed on the poppet head andthree concave surfaces formed on the stem.
 4. The phaser valve of claim1, wherein there are three concave regions formed on the poppet head andthree concave surfaces formed on the stem.
 5. The phaser valve of claim1, wherein there are two stems, disposed on either side of the poppethead.
 6. A piston and cylinder assembly having the phaser valve ofclaim
 1. 7. The phaser valve as recited in claim 1, wherein the stemfurther comprises stem lands, and the stem lands abut or nearly abut aninterior surface of the stem guide.
 8. The phaser valve as recited inclaim 1, wherein an axial length of the stem is longer than an axiallength of a largest diameter of the poppet head.
 9. A phaser valve,comprising: a valve housing, the housing accommodating two opposingvalve seats, a poppet comprising a poppet head and a poppet stem, thepoppet being disposed for sliding movement within the housing, whereinthe valve seats define limiting positions for the poppet, wherein thepoppet head includes a distal portion which is generally conical, and aproximal portion which is generally conical, the poppet head having aplurality of lands separated by concave regions located between thedistal and proximal portions of the poppet head, and wherein the poppetstem includes a plurality of elongated concave surfaces extending alongan entire length of the poppet stem, wherein the concave regions of thepoppet head are aligned with the concave surfaces of the poppet stem.10. The phaser valve of claim 9, wherein there are three concave regionsformed on the poppet head and three concave surfaces formed on the stem.11. The phaser valve of claim 9, wherein there are two stems, disposedon either side of the poppet head.
 12. The phaser valve as recited inclaim 9, further comprising: a stem guide held by said valve housing,the stem guide defining a channel for movement of the poppet stemtherethrough, wherein the poppet stem further comprises stem lands, andthe stem lands abut or nearly abut an interior surface of the stemguide.
 13. The phaser valve as recited in claim 9, wherein an axiallength of the stem is longer than an axial length of a largest diameterof the poppet head.
 14. A cylinder and piston assembly, comprising apiston disposed for reciprocating movement within the cylinder, thepiston being connected to a phaser valve, wherein the phaser valvecomprises: a valve housing, the housing accommodating two opposing valveseats, a poppet comprising a poppet head and a poppet stem, the poppetbeing disposed for sliding movement within the housing, wherein thevalve seats define limiting positions for the poppet, wherein the poppetstem is sufficiently long to enable the poppet stem to contact a surfaceof the cylinder before the piston contacts said surface, wherein thepoppet head includes a distal portion which is generally conical, and aproximal portion which is generally conical, the poppet head having aplurality of lands separated by concave regions located between thedistal and proximal portions of the poppet head, and wherein the poppetstem includes a plurality of elongated concave surfaces extending alongan entire length of the poppet stem, wherein the concave regions of thepoppet head are aligned with the elongated concave surfaces of thepoppet stem, the assembly further including means, controlled by thephaser valve, for directing fluid alternately into opposite sides of thepiston.
 15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein there are three concaveregions formed on the poppet head and three elongated concave surfacesformed on the stem.
 16. The phaser valve of claim 14, wherein there aretwo stems, disposed on either side of the poppet head.
 17. The phaservalve as recited in claim 16, wherein an axial length of the stem islonger than an axial length of a largest diameter of the poppet head.18. The phaser valve as recited in claim 14, further comprising: a stemguide held by said valve housing, the stem guide defining a channel formovement of the poppet stem therethrough, wherein the poppet stemfurther comprises stem lands, and the stem lands abut or nearly abut aninterior surface of the stem guide.
 19. The assembly as recited in claim14, wherein an axial length of the poppet stem is longer than an axiallength of a largest diameter of the poppet head.
 20. A phaser valve,comprising: a housing, a poppet having a poppet head and a stem, thepoppet head being held within the housing by a pair of seats, and a stemguide held by said housing, the stem guide defining a generallycylindrical channel, for movement of the stem therethrough, the stemguide having a length sufficient to enable the stem guide to extendoutside the housing for at least one position of the poppet head,wherein the poppet head has a distal end which is generally conical, anda proximal end which is generally conical, the poppet head also having aplurality of lands separated by a plurality of concave regions locatedbetween the distal and proximal ends of the poppet head, wherein thestem includes a plurality of elongated concave surfaces extending alonga length of the stem, the elongated concave surfaces formed on the stembeing generally aligned with the concave regions formed on the poppethead, wherein there are three concave regions on the poppet head andthree concave surfaces on the stem, and wherein the stem has a generallytriangular cross-section.
 21. The phaser valve of claim 20, whereinthere are two stems, disposed on either side of the poppet head.
 22. Thephaser valve as recited in claim 20, wherein the stem further comprisesstem lands, and the stem lands abut or nearly abut an interior surfaceof the stem guide.